Quinn orders better response to FOIA requests

Thursday

Feb 26, 2009 at 12:01 AMFeb 26, 2009 at 5:20 AM

Gov. Pat Quinn told state agency directors and state lawyers Wednesday to “take all steps necessary to make information as accessible as possible" and better comply with the Freedom of Information Act.

Eric Naing

Gov. Pat Quinn told state agency directors and state lawyers Wednesday to “take all steps necessary to make information as accessible as possible" and better comply with the Freedom of Information Act.

Quinn spokesman Bob Reed said the directive is intended to let state workers know they “should have a pro-disclosure attitude toward FOIA.”

The purpose of the act is to provide members of the public access to government records. Certain types of information, such as medical files and security information, are exempt from the act.

A common criticism is that state agencies often deny requests for information based on broad interpretations of these exemptions.

In his memo, Quinn ordered FOIA requests to be considered “in favor of disclosure” instead of secrecy.

"In particular, FOIA requests shall be complied with in full conformity with both the letter and spirit of FOIA, and no decision to withhold information sought in a FOIA request shall be made to avoid embarrassment or for any speculative or other improper purpose," he wrote.

Quinn directed state agencies and lawyers to interpret all FOIA requests “as narrowly as possible” in order to balance the legitimate reasons for concealing information with the public’s “right to know about the affairs of its government.”

Quinn also wants state agencies to make more information available online. He ordered all state agencies to issue a report to Ted Chung, the governor’s top lawyer, about what information they can put online. The reports are to be completed within 45 days and will be released to the public.

The governor is not the only one concerned about enforcing compliance with FOIA.

In April, the Illinois Reform Commission, a panel that Quinn created, will issue a report on how to clean up Illinois government. Reed said that Quinn will look seriously at any suggestions the commission makes about improving transparency in government.

The Illinois legislature’s Joint Committee on Government Reform has also brought up the topic.

Attorney General Lisa Madigan told the committee that government officials should undergo training about what kind of information can be released under FOIA.

“It is obviously very difficult to comply when you don’t know what the law is,” Madigan said.

On Quinn's first day as governor, Madigan sent him a letter urging him to make open government a priority. A few days later, the Illinois Reform Commission sent him a similar letter.

Reed said the governor’s directive was not a result of either letter.

“I think they were all basically on the same page, anyway,” said Reed. “This is very much a Quinn initiative.”

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